Veteran Odia Actor Sudharani Jena Dies

Bhubaneswar: Veteran Odia film actress Sudharani Jena, who was a doctor by profession, passed away following a brief illness, family sources said on Wednesday.

Jena, who had started her acting career in the 1960s, had won several accolades for her brilliant performance in landmark films like ‘Gapahele Bi Sata’, ‘Ram Balram’, ‘Kaveri’, ‘Jhia Ti Sita Par’, Sankha Mahuri’, and ‘Topae Sindura Di Pata Sankha.’

A pall of gloom has descended on the Odisha film industry following the demise of Jena on Tuesday,. Her death is considered to have marked the end of an era in the cine industry in Odisha.

A multi-faceted personality and a versatile actor, Jena had made a foray into the film industry in the 60s. She had reportedly made her debut in ‘Parinama’ produced by Kabiraj Krushnachandra Tripathy Sharma.

After a short break, she re-entered the tinsel world in 1976 and carved a special identity in the Odia cine industry.

A doctor by profession, Jena had started acting while studying in the Medical College. She had won the best actress award for four years in a row for her spectacular performance.